(KPLR) – During severe weather, in winter and in summer, there are fewer blood donors. The need for blood, however, does not go down.
The American Red Cross is now asking for all eligible blood and platelet donors to help right now.
About 300 blood drives were canceled across 25 states because of the snow and extreme cold over the last week. In Missouri and Illinois, nearly 30 blood drives were cancelled. There is now a shortfall of almost 8,800 blood and platelet donations across the Midwest. Over the past five days, the Missouri-Illinois area is down about 875 donations.
O positive and negative, A negative and B negative blood donations are urgently needed.
If you would like to donate or arrange a blood drive, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit www.redcrossblood.org .
